overstayer.....

[lanna]

i'm an overstayer living in the u.k. 6 years now........i'm leaving to return home soon! I'm a bit worried that i might be pulled over by immigration.....

could someone please tell me if this 'would' or 'wouldn't' happen?? ...

[SYH]

they are happy to see you go, that's why they stopped monitoring the exits although this may change soon

[OL7MAX]

The unofficial advice on these boards is to leave on a late evening flight and preferably from one of the smaller airports. If the immigration officers have no record of you leaving now they may never know you overstayed your visa.

[lanna]

i have already book my flight which is a saturday morning flight....chances are i will bring attention to myself, yeah??

[Jeff Albright]

i have already book my flight which is a saturday morning flight....chances are i will bring attention to myself, yeah??

If it is through Heathrow or Gatwick, you may. Suggest flying from Manchester.

[lanna]

i don't really have a choice......where i'm going the flights only leave from gatwick an heathrow!!

Now i'm even more worried!!!

[lanna]

what would they do if i DID get pulled over??

please someone, i'm freaking out here!!!

[OL7MAX]

If they are in a really, really bad mood they'll stamp your passport before they allow you to leave.

[lanna]

thank you very much all of you for your help an taking the time to reply.....

i must say, i'm not looking foward to leavin at all but, it have to be done b4 i get caught and be deported!!

i really hope one day i'll be able to come back....i really love it here in the u.k.!!!

can anyone tell me what my chances of this happening are??

[Jeff Albright]

No one can tell you what chances are...
Suggest you just walk through, try not to talk to anyone and don't sign anything. They cannot force you, as you have already crossed the border once you have gone past security.

[lanna]

thanks a bunch!

[try-one]

Jeff,
Security is not a border; they immigration people have jurisdiction over anyone inside the airport in any place; if he manages to get to an airplane he may be under different jurisdiction.

If he is stoped he has to follow the instructions, not signing a document may bring additional checks and a more detailed enquiry (plus security at the airports is very tight and you wouldn't want to get more attention)

[Jeff Albright]

Perhaps they are - I must admit I am not familiar with this type of situation, never experienced it. This was over top of my head.
However, it is still up to the person to sign or not to sign. If you sign, you agree, if you don't - you don't - it is still up to you.
Technically, they cannot prevent her from leaving or detain her for not answering questions or having no documents. They have powers under the Immigration Rules and they question and assess passengers on arrival, i.e. whether they qualify for entry under the Immigration Rules. The Rules have no effect on leaving passengers, not as far as things stand at the moment. Therefore, speaking in terms of the relevant law, they have no power to force her to sign anything or make her answer their questions. She may simply say "no comment" and that's all.
It is always advisable to cooperate in such situations and behave reasonably to avoid problems in the future. However, it is still up to the person - it is their decision.
Also, the criminal offences for not producing passport on request, etc. only apply to inward passengers traffic.
We can only see how she goes...

[yusufjee]

I had overstay last year of three months and i was interviewed at the airport as to why i overstayed. They let me go without fingerprinting and retina scanning on me. But did write on my passport that i overstayed in big words which is costing me now for new student visa.

[jamalkhan]

1. They are likely to check your visa
2. If it is overstayed then they will refer it to IO's at the heathrow
3. IO may fingerprint you and give you a form ISI51A
4. They may also write something on your passport

Advice

1. Early morning or late night flights
2. Look confident
3. Try to walk straight out as your plane is leaving in 1 minute but stop if you asked
4.Think of a real good story what and why you overstayed

Good Luck

But whatever you do make sure you are accompanied by a friend or family as the journey after this check will be a journey to hell

Best of Luck my friend